This chapter is from the book

This chapter is from the book

In the previous chapter, you learned how to take advantage of Dreamweaver
extensions written by other people. Now it's time to learn to write your
own! In this chapter,you'll get some hands-on experience creating custom objects andbehaviors, and you'll learn how to package them up and share them with the
rest of the Dreamweaver community. In particular, you'll learn to do the
following:

Create a simple object that inserts the same code into the page every
time

Create a custom object that uses a dialog box to collect user input and
insert customized code into the page

Create an editable, reusable custom behavior

Troubleshoot and bulletproof objects and behaviors for distribution to
others

Package a behavior or object into an installation file that can be used
with Extension Manager

Submit a packaged extension to the Macromedia Exchange

Before Getting Started

Although writing Dreamweaver extensions isn't just for propeller-heads,
it isn't for sissies, either. To work with object and behavior files, you
need to be fairly comfortable reading and writing HTML code, and you need at
least a basic understanding of JavaScript. In particular, before you tackle this
chapter, you should be familiar with the following:

The basic language structure, syntax requirements, and concepts of
JavaScript (expressions, operators, variables, and so on)

How to work with JavaScript functions

How to use JavaScript to process data collected by HTML forms

TIP

If you're a JavaScript newbie, or if your skills are rusty, you might
want to have a JavaScript reference available as you work. The handiest
reference is Dreamweaver's own online JavaScript Reference panel. If you
want more in-depth information, the O'Reilly series books on JavaScript
(JavaScript: The Definitive Guide, JavaScript Pocket Reference) are a valuable
resource. Danny Goodman's JavaScript Bible is also a wonderful reference
and teaching resource.

In addition to the standard rules and regulations of JavaScript, Dreamweaver
has its own application program interface (API), consisting of predefined
objects, functions, and procedures for processing scripts. In the course of this
chapter, you'll get a taste of the Dreamweaver API, and you'll be
introduced to the parts of the API that you'll need to write basic objects
and behaviors. If you want to go beyond this chapter and seriously explore
Dreamweaver extensions, the best resource is Macromedia's own manual,
Extending Dreamweaver. This manual comes in PDF format on the Dreamweaver
application CD; it can also be downloaded from the Dreamweaver support page on
the Macromedia Web site
(
http://www.macromedia.com/support/dreamweaver).
I highly recommend printing it out, popping it in a three-ring binder and
keeping it next to your pillower, your computeras you work.